<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/3309915?color=9C9C63" width="400" height="270" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe>
The Mission of Communities In Schools Of Montgomery County is to Surround Students With a Community of Support, Empowering them to Stay in School and Achieve in Life.
An independent, five-year evaluation of Communities In Schools finds that CIS is one of a very few organizations proven to keep students in school and the only one to document that it increases graduation rates. The study also shows that a higher percentage of students served by Communities in Schools reach proficiency in 4th-grade and 8th-grade reading and math. The evaluation employed multiple methodologies including a quasi-experimental study at the school level and randomized control trials at the student level.
Click here to view the executive summary report of the five-year evaluation.
We work within public school systems and maximize the use of dedicated volunteers and community partners.
What sets Communities In Schools apart from other organizations is its model of providing a comprehensive range of community services, also known as integrated student services.
Our initiatives cover a broad spectrum of needs with innovative programs designed to engage and support students at various stages of their education.
Communities In Schools
"Favorite Nonprofit for 2012"
Social media blog Nonprofit Tech 2.0 named Communities In Schools one of the top nonprofits to watch online in 2012.
Every year, popular blog Nonprofit Tech 2.0 features on their homepage banner their favorite nonprofit organizations using social media to foster social good. Communities In Schools was selected for this year’s honor, among other outstanding organizations such as Amnesty International, Alex’s Lemonade Stand, GLAAD, and the Smithsonian.
In addition to increased exposure and promotion, the 2012 Nonprofits will also receive 10 percent of the proceeds from DIOSA Communications Webinars.
Damon Nash
Mr. Damon Nash, founder of Nfluence Me, is a dynamic speaker
from CISNC. He spoke to more than 575 fourth and fifth graders
at all 5 elementary schools on February 21 and 22. He gave the
students a hope for tomorrow, the determination to excel, and a
voice of strength to combat their struggles. His passion for motivational speaking is powerful and effective. He spoke with students about making wise, positive choices, consequences, and bullying. Students bravely asked questions and received the guidance and answers they needed. Faculty was actively listening to our youth and truly hearing what they had to say. Mr. Nash says his mission is to influence students of all ages to do one thing-“THINK”.
Kofi Akinlana
Obakunle Akinlana has performed as a profound storyteller, musician,
lecturer and percussionist through the US and West Africa, as well as
being the founder and producer of the Igunnuko African Heritage
Festival in Charlotte. Mr. Akinlana is no ordinary story teller or musician. He brought with him the rhythm, soul, and passion of African Culture. His stories were not just stories, but life lessons brought to animation using nature and musical instruments as their backdrop. Mr. Akinlana visited with 5 elementary schools on February 28 and March 1 and reached almost 1,300 students while on his visit to Montgomery County. The students enthusiastically took home what they learned, saw, and experienced during his presentation. Everyone was involved in participating in a traditional African dance and playing handmade musical instruments of the Yoruba people, of West Africa. Teachers and students alike embraced the diversity with excitement.
Christopher Capel
A favorite of many students, Chris is a motivational speaker from CISNC. His words cultivate and influence individuals and organizations across the board. He is a peak performance coach who has committed to the development of personal and professional growth through providing resources and training to the masses. He has spoken to thousands of students and adults across North Carolina and 40 states. He has been to Montgomery County many times and the students always are enthralled with his talks. We were delighted to have him return on March 27th to speak to the students of West Middle and East Middle.
Making a Difference
State News
CIS Network in N.C. Helped Record Number of Students Last School Year
February 06, 2013 Communities In Schools of North Carolina (CISNC), part of the leading dropout prevention network in the nation dedicated to empowering students to stay in school and achieve in life, today announces its network data from the 2011-2012 school year. This data can be found in two online documents: Quick Facts 2011-2012 and the 2011-2012 Impact Report.
“Last year, our network in North Carolina provided assistance to a record number of students—180,730, to be exact—a 26 percent increase from the prior year” said Linda Harrill, outgoing President & CEO of CISNC. “What’s more impressive is that CISNC provided tailored, customized, one-on-one support to 21,000 students identified as being most at-risk for school failure—comparable to more than 350 school buses full of children—and succeeded in keeping 99 percent of these students in school. We are truly helping to prevent at-risk kids from becoming another dropout statistic.”
CISNC works on behalf of all K-12 at-risk public school students by addressing the physical, emotional and academic needs that are necessary to help them progress in school, graduate on time and be prepared for employment, enrollment or enlistment. CISNC currently operates in 44 counties via 37 local affiliates.
Of the 180,730 students served in the 2011-2012 school year, 94 percent were promoted to the next grade and 95 percent of CISNC high school seniors graduated.
CISNC Names New President & CEO
The Board of Directors of Communities In Schools of North Carolina (CISNC) today announcesits unanimous decision to select Eric S. Hall as the new President & CEO of the statewide organization, part of the leading dropout prevention network in the nation dedicated to empowering students to stay in school and achieve in life. Hall will be assuming leadership from current President Linda R. Harrill, who will be transitioning to a consultant role as Senior Advisor of Education and Innovation to CISNC.
“We believe Eric will be an outstanding leader, advocate and influencer for Communities In Schools of North Carolina, helping usher the organization into the next chapter of its history in helping at-risk students graduate from school and be prepared for life,” said Tina Wilson, Manager of Corporate Citizenship and Corporate Affairs with IBM and Chair of the CISNC Board of Directors.
Bringing nearly 20 years of experience in the education sector, Hall will leave his current position as National Director of Educational Services/Regional Director of AMIkids, Inc., a nonprofit organization providing intervention services to at-risk youth in juvenile justice programs and nontraditional schools in nine states. He will relocate from Tampa, Fla., to become the President and CEO of CISNC on February 1, 2013. During his tenure at AMIkids, Hall spearheaded the creation of educator-training programs for more than 50 schools, as well as the development of curriculum and strategies aimed at accelerating student academic achievement. Hall’s other career achievements include successful Board and community development; implementation of strategic plans; cultivation and stewardship of donors; effective personnel management; and expertise in nonprofit management, youth development services and social justice issues. Holding a master’s in education, he is currently pursuing a doctorate in education leadership from the University of South Florida.
GETTING IT RIGHT – Sixth grader Ayana Rush likes the short, non-fiction paragraphs on the reading comprehension cards and answering the questions on the back of each card. She also likes having the one-on-one time with her tutor/mentor Kerry Hensley, along with the other students who look forward to their hour reading group time each week.
Kerry Hensley:
Retiring from board but not from CIS
Read the article on the About Us Page
Thanks so much to Century Links for partnering with Communities In Schools of Montgomery County's Back Pack Pals program. They provided the plastic bags for for the week of Spring Break. We appreciate Century Link's commitment to this county and willingness to partner to feed our children.
